Reconstructing the phylogeny and evolution of neotropical bess beetles (Passalidae: Proculini): Patterns of taxonomic diversification in montane versus lowland forested environments

Proculini (19 described genera and 221 described species) are distributed exclusively in the New World, with all but two species occurring only in the tropics. The taxonomic diversity of the tribe appears to have resulted from two main radiations, one in Mesoamerica and another in South America. The Mesoamerican radiation of Proculini is rich in generic diversity, with 17 of the 19 described genera. Most of this diversity is associated with montane habitats. The South American radiation contains many species, but only 2 genera, one of which – Veturius (75 species) – is the most species rich genus in the tribe. Most described South American Proculini reside in lowland habitats. It is unclear whether the species richness of Mesoamerican and South American Proculini, which appear to have diversified into somewhat different tropical habitats (montane versus lowland forests), results from low extinction rates and/or rapid taxonomic diversification; both of which have been proposed as important drivers of insect diversification in the tropics. To gain insights into the geographic origins and evolutionary history of Neotropical Proculini, we are reconstructing relationships and timing and patterns of diversification using molecular, morphological, and other data.